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 Johnston’s Coppice

Wednesday 2nd April 2014

The application by Terena Plowright of The Greening Campaign for a change of use of Johnston’s Coppice, the nature reserve behind Crookhorn Technology College, to ‘mixed use of woodland and natural pet cemetery’ was refused on 18th March 2014.  The intention was for the pet cemetery to finance management of the woodland. 

There were a number of objections and the application was refused because ‘In the absence of adequate information the Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposal will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the populations of protected species concerned at a favourable conservation status.’

The principal species of concern is the Hazel Dormouse although, according to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, eleven different species of bats have also been recorded in the area, including the very rare Bechstein’s bat.

An eight-year management plan has been prepared and the first section of hazel was coppiced early in 2013.  The PAWARA Environment Group has assisted with clearance work.  Woodland management activities ceased last year when volunteer work parties were cancelled due to a lack of numbers and Hampshire County Council withdrew the support of a Countryside Warden, who had been able to assist with a chainsaw, due to budget constraints.  Terena still intends to manage the coppice and is waiting for the lease to be finalised.

Tadpoles

Tuesday 1st April 2014

Hundreds of tadpoles (there could be thousands; I didn’t count them) are in the shallow edges of Penjar Pond and movement of the water can be seen from several yards away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coronation Orchard Planted in Purbrook

On Sunday 17th March, PAWARA (assisted by members of the 1st Purbrook Scout Group) planted ten trees at The Bog, Ladybridge Road to create an orchard in commemoration of the coronation of King Charles III.  The Tree Council supplied two Golden Orchard packs as part of celebrations to mark fifty years of The Tree Council.  All the trees have gold or golden in the name and most will produce golden fruit.

The trees are two each of:

Apple – Julia’s Late Golden

https://www.frankpmatthews.com/catalogue/fruit-trees/apple/julias-late-golden/

Apple – Paradice Gold

https://www.frankpmatthews.com/catalogue/fruit-trees/apple/paradyce-gold/

Crab Apple – Golden Hornet

https://www.frankpmatthews.com/catalogue/ornamental-trees/malus/malus-golden-hornet/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/532.shtml

Gage – Oullins Golden

https://www.frankpmatthews.com/catalogue/fruit-trees/gage/oullins-golden/#additional-details

Apricot – Golden Glow

https://www.frankpmatthews.com/catalogue/fruit-trees/apricot/golden-glow/#additional-details

Planting and staking the trees. Turf was removed 0.5 (18”) around each tree to reduce competition from grass.

A thick layer of woodchip was spread around the trees to help suppress weeds and keep moisture in the soil.

Woodchip was removed immediately around the trees to reduce the risk of rot and disease from the build up of wet material around the trunk.

A wire cage was stapled to each stake to protect the trees.

The finished orchard showing the trees planted in a circle.

Photos:  Terry Smith

Mulberry Tree – free to a good home

We have been offered a mulberry tree which was growing in a small garden and needs a new home.  It has been professionally pruned and is in a large tub, still in its root bag.  The tap root had to be cut to get it out of the ground, but the tree looks healthy and the owner has been assured that it will grow quite happily.   

If anyone would like the tree, please use the Contact form to let us know.

The mulberry tree in its pot. (Photo: Ken Sargent)

 

Coronation Orchard

PAWARA has received permission from Havant Borough Council to create a community orchard on The Bog (Ladybridge Road) to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III.  The orchard will be planted in the corner near the car park in the winter, which gives us a few months to decide how we want the orchard to look and raise funds.

The orchard does not need to be in traditional rows.  For example, it could be a circle or in the shape of a crown.  If you have any thoughts on the design of the orchard, the type or variety of fruit trees you would like to see or if you would like to be involved in some way, please let us know.

A one-year-old bare-rooted apple tree on a dwarfing rootstock is four to five feet tall (1.2 – 1.5 metres) and will grow to 2 – 2.5 metres when mature.  A tree with a stake and tie costs £32 at March 2023 prices from Blackmoor Nurseries. 

Donations for the orchard can  be paid into the PAWARA bank account (contact us for details).  All contributions, regardless of the value, will be gratefully received and will help to make the orchard a reality. 

 

 

Tree Planting in Johnston’s Coppice

In December 2021, HCC Countryside Service cut ash trees down along the edge of Johnston’s Coppice next to Purbrook Way.  The trees were suffering from ash dieback and there were concerns some of the trees may fall across the pavement and into the road.  A few other trees were felled or reduced at the same time because removing the ash increased the risk of windthrow (trees being blown down in strong winds).

The trees ready to be planted.

On 13th April, volunteers from PAWARA and Havant Borough Tree Wardens helped the Countryside Service to replant the area with a mixture of native tree species.  Over 200 trees were planted, including hazel, elder, hawthorn, blackthorn, buckthorn and crab apple, together with rowan left over from replanting the hedges in Havant Cemetery.  HBTW took the opportunity to find a home for their growing collection of oak trees and a Purbrook resident donated four sweet chestnuts and an ash grown in pots. +

Planting in Johnston’s Coppice.

There is already significant regrowth from the coppiced hazel, sycamore, ash, alder, goat willow, dogwood and guelder rose and buddleia has taken advantage of the disturbed ground. 

The additional light reaching the ground has encouraged a range of wild flowers, including volets, primroses, herb robert and other plants yet to flower. 

Insects seen included ladybirds, alder leaf beetle, bee-flies, small white and brimstone butterflies.  The latter should be encouraged by the buckthorn we planted which is a favoured foodplant for brimstone caterpillars. 

The verge in front of the planting area was a mass of dandelion, alexanders and garlic mustard which is a food plant of orange-tip caterpillars.

Hedgelaying in Purbrook

Purbrook and Widley Area Residents’ Association (PAWARA) Environment Group has laid the hedge in front of the fence at Penjar Pond, Purbrook.  The hedge was planted in February 2013 with a mixture of hazel, hawthorn, dogwood, field maple and dog rose.

The hedge was healthy and vigorous, but there was no growth at the bottom.  Despite plentiful foliage and forks created by previous cutting, there were no nests in the hedge.  The objective was to create a dense hedge that would be attractive to nesting birds.  The back row of the hedge was laid last year, incorporating dead hedging to bulk it up, and new growth from the hazel was starting to add height. 

The back of the hedge laid early in 2022.

The front of the hedge in April 2022.

PAWARA Environment Group preparing for laying the hedge in January 2023.

Pleaching the last tree in the hedge line.

Cutting off the side branches.

The finished hedge.

 

Preparation for Hedge Planting at Widley Gardens

On Sunday 11th October we cleared the ground ready to plant another section of hedge on the edge of the woodland next to Widley Gardens.   We left some small trees (mainly hawthorn with some dogwood, blackthorn and holly) that were already growing in the right place to form part of the new hedge. 

The new hedge site before clearance.

Cleared ready for the new hedge.

 

Lockdown Photos

If you see any interesting trees during your daily exercise, please send us a photo.  info@pawara.co.uk

Bird Cherry, St John’s Avenue, Purbrook. Sunday 26th April 2020. Photo: Terry Smith

Crab apple blossom in Timber Lane, Purbrook. Sunday 26th April 2020.  Photo: Terry Smith

Wild garlic in Gundymoor Wood.       Wednesday 22nd April 2020.                         Photo: Terry Smith

Wood spurge in Johnston’s Coppice. Tuesday 21st April 2020.
Photo: Terry Smith

Cherry in blossom.
Timber Lane, Purbrook.
Monday 20th April.
Photo: Terry Smith

Crab apple tree in blossom.
Sovereign Lane, Purbrook.
Sunday 19th April.
Photo: Terry Smith

Yellow archangel, Johnston’s Coppice.
Saturday 18th April 2020.
Photo: Terry Smith

Cherry Blossom in Timber Lane, Purbrook.
Tuesday 14th April 2020.
Photo: Terry Smith

Wayfaring tree in flower.
College Road, Purbrook.
Tuesday 14th April.
Photo: Terry Smith

Wayfaring tree in flower.
College Road, Purbrook.
Tuesday 14th April.
Photo: Terry Smith

Cramp Ball fungus (King Alfred’s Cake) Daldinia concentrica is found almost exclusively on ash, as in this case.
Gundymoor Wood. Saturday 11th April.
Photo: Terry Smith

This unidentified fungus was found on silver birch. Gundymoor Wood. Saturday 11th April.
Photo: Terry Smith

Cherry in blossom.
Fielder’s Park, Purbrook. Thursday 9th April.
Photo: Terry Smith

I took this photo of a notable oak during one of my daily walks. From the line at bench height, it looks as though it was constrained at some point; perhaps there was a bench around the trunk. Does anyone know the history of this tree or have earlier photos?
I would need assistance to measure the trunk, so that will have to wait until the rules on social distancing are relaxed.
Elizabeth Road, Purbrook. Tuesday 24th March
Photo: Terry Smith

This albino grey squirrel on a different oak was seen during the same walk.
Elizabeth Road, Purbrook. Tuesday 24th March
Photo: Terry Smith

Albino grey squirrel and wood pigeon.
Elizabeth Road, Purbrook. Tuesday 24th March
Photo: Terry Smith

Coronovirus

In line with advice from the Government, we have cancelled all work parties until further notice. We may have some additional litter picks when it will be easy to stay at least six feet apart in the open air.

For the most accurate, up-to-date health guidance, please follow only official government advice. https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Litter Pick in Purbrook

This morning eight volunteers collected 27 bags of litter, taking care to  practice social distancing.  We started at the junction of Purbrook Heath Road with Newlands Lane and worked our way to the London Road, clearing both sides of Purbrook Heath Road, the tennis courts and the Heath.  We then cleared behind Penjar Bridge and along the western side of London Road into Marrelswood Gardens and the woodland on either side.  

Last Sunday five volunteers collected 17 bags from Stakes.

 

Hedge Planting at Widley Gardens

In January, PAWARA Environment Group planted another hedge in Purbrook.  This time it was on the edge of a small wood at Widley Gardens.  A mixture of hawthorn, blackthorn, dogwood and hazel was planted in three rows with alternating hazel on the woodland side and alternating dogwood facing the road.  Other species will be added when available.  The majority of the whips were supplied by OVO Energy through The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) ‘I Dig Trees’ scheme with some hazel saplings from The Woodland Trust.  TCV were originally offering guelder rose as a component of the Wildlife & Shrubs packs, but were not satisfied with the quality of plants available.

Preparing the ground.

Whips planted.

As for the hedges at Purbrook Gardens, the aim is to create a dense hedge with nesting potential, nectar, fruit and visual amenity.  A total of 74 whips were planted at 15” centres with rows 12” apart.  This is closer than the whips at Purbrook Gardens which were planted at 18” centres with rows 15” apart, so it will be interesting to compare the results.

Applying the wood chips.

Job done.

The planting area was thoroughly cleared of ivy and brambles and the whips were planted forward of the mature trees to maximise light.  Wood chips were supplied by a local tree surgeon.  We did not need to use protective tubes because there are no rabbits or deer in the area.  There is space for more hedging further along the road and that will be a job for the next planting season.